The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-06-08
A GossIP's DEED.

Miss Perkins cleared her throat am,
looked knowing.
didn't spose you'd care so much
.'Nervie," she said, after moment OF 81
lence, during which the young girl hac
turned her face away
Miss Perkins was one of the born ag
gravators of humanity in general and il
particular Minerva Woodford felt hor
ribly tempted to tell her so. But Miner
va had wonderful self-control for such
smiling, azure eyes, and thick-massed
ungovernable auburn hair 1t was nc
light imposition, this that she had borne
throughout that glorious midsummer al
ternoon the company of Miss Perkins
s. 10 tea, the threads of gossip Miss Per
kins unraveled tinch for inch with the
yarn of the great gray balls from which
she was always knitting ugly stockings
for Heaven knew whom and knit up
slowly with her own peculiar skill of mar
ration into a substance quite as ugly and
durable aus the products of her own
hands
1t was one of Miss Perkins self-enjoin-
ed duties to communicate disagreeable
tidings. She felt a delightful sense OF
peace and contentment now that she had
concluded her task of enlightening her
Young and motherless hostess. "'Neryie
was good girl and hadn't ought to be
deceived leastest," she said to herself,
"more specially by such a worthless
critter as that Jason Hawks
+" | didn't s'pose you'd care so much, y
she repeated, with an air of Sympathy
Minerva was reaching through the win
dow to break off some of the pink roses
that hung there, red-ripe and luscious
She did not obey her impulse to turnand
speak sharply. Size did not say out her
thought. "Neryier' how she hated to
be called "Nerview No one with any
sense called her anything but Minnie
No one but Miss Elvira Perkins. She
wished Miss Perkins would never come
To see her
She thought all this, but what she
said was milder, as she faced about
carelessly, and stood arranging the
roses.
81 am sure hardly understand you,
Miss Perkins. Why should you suppose
| cared for what was said about Jason
Hawks Surely he has right to marry
whom he pleases."
She might have been little paler
than usual, but her voice was quite
steady.
Miss Perkins smiled d screetly.
There amt much chance for the
young girls" she observed, when there's
a designin widow come to town. Mis-
Darrall's just got Jason Hawks wound
completely round her finger. Tisnt
that's 50 much account, though if he'd
married you, you could've had good in
fluence He's altogether too fond of race
horses and such like evil doings But
for her to come and set herself mp 50
nightly why, she amt once returned
your call now, I'll be bound"
Minerals lovely face flushed painfully
at the reminder. She stepped from sit
ting room to kitchen and put some water
in vase for the roses. Her heart throb-
bed with great ache, but never should
her caller know it.
It's almost time fur father to come,
she said. quietly. I'm going to set the
table now, Miss Perkins VIII you it by
the door? I'll bring your chair"
"Oh, law : lean manage for myself"
said the elderly maiden, rising in some
haste to push the wooden rocker before
her over the sill and down the length of
the shining kitchen. 1. was wing of
the house facing the road, and the door
was open.
\ sudden hoof-beat and a rumble OF
wheels on the soft and yellow dusty road
4 carriage spun by after a certain we'll
known pair of well known horses.
Miss Perkins sent up a shrill little cry
Of triumph.
Z" / never there they go he's driving
her out to the fair grounds. What do
YOU think of that, 'Nervie?'
But Minerva made no reply.
Miss Perkins turned, only to see the
girl slip quietly from the room.
Miss Perkins sat there alone for con
siderable space. The tea-kettle had be-
gun to sing cheerily. The snowy table
cloth and the shining glassware had an
inviting aspect There was plenty of
Miss Perkins fayorite sauce and sweet
pickle there was just the kind of tea
biscuit and cocoanut cake that she dotted
on. She closed her eyes and clasped her
hands with sigh of thankfulness for
duty performed and blessings about to
be enjoyed.
Then Minerals father arrived.
"How'dy, Miss Perkins," he said.
" Where's Minnie?'
Minerva reappeared, just little pale
and shadowy around the eyes.
Here i am, father" she said, gently
8 tea is ready. had something to do,
I'd most forgotten.
Miss Perkins went away just after tea.
She did not stop to @help 'Nervie do the
Dishes as usual 1t was getting dark
and she had a long walk, she suddenly
Minerva went about her work quite
Her father was due at some
meeting, and so presently she was left |
alone in the house